Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) was sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Brigade Parade Ground [1].
The transition marks a significant political shift in the state, ending the previous administration's tenure and establishing the first BJP-led government in West Bengal. The ceremony signaled a new cultural and political direction for the region.
Adhikari took the oath of office alongside five ministers [3]. The BJP secured 207 seats in the 2026 West Bengal assembly election [4]. In his personal contest for leadership, Adhikari won by a margin of over 15,000 votes against Mamata Banerjee [2].
Before beginning his official duties, Adhikari visited the home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore to pay tribute [5]. This homage coincided with Tagore's birth anniversary, a move intended to signal the new government's commitment to Bengal's cultural heritage [1, 2]. Prime Minister Modi also paid homage to Tagore during the historic swearing-in events [2].
During the proceedings, Adhikari emphasized a philosophy of persistence. "Charaiveti, Charaiveti (keep going)," Adhikari said [5].
The event at the Brigade Parade Ground served as the formal start of the BJP's administration in the state [4]. The gathering focused on the transfer of power, and the symbolic integration of regional cultural identity with the party's governance goals [1].
“"Charaiveti, Charaiveti (keep going)"”
The appointment of Suvendu Adhikari as Chief Minister represents a major realignment of power in West Bengal. By centering the swearing-in ceremony around a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore, the BJP is attempting to bridge the gap between its national ideological platform and the deeply rooted cultural identity of the Bengali people to ensure long-term stability.
